08/03/2022
Muthuri Murungi
I have been driving for two decades. I have been riding for a decade. I interact closely with both worlds. I have seen all manner of things on our roads. I am a seasoned road user.
There's a lot of things most of the commentators about this matter would never understand.
There are arrogant, conceited drivers who would knock you down on your lane without flinching. There are also murderous nduthi gangs whose lawlessness knows no boundaries. Each of these groups of people are not ready to listen to the other. For a long time there has been a lot resentful hatred among them. Many times I have found myself being the lone voice that preached tolerance.
There's not one driver who can claim not to have a relative, friend or someone known to them who rides a bike. Same with riders. There's not one of them who doesn't have a relative or friend who drives a car. We are all vulnerable.
I once saved a relative from the jaws of death when he knocked down a rider, and broke both his legs and one of his arms. The only reason why he was not lynched is because I arrived at the scene on a bike. After everyone calmed down, I asked him to take a moment and contemplate the implications of the fact that he could have knocked ME down! That worked magic. He stopped drinking and driving on the spot. It's unfortunate that the family of the victim later refused to cooperate with us, so we were unable to help the accident victim.
The matter of bikes can not be solved without first appreciating why they turned to the animals they are now.
I once hit a Matatu from the back because the driver instantly braked smack in the middle of the road to pick up passengers. That accident almost killed me, and I ended up paying for the rear glass of the matatu. The driver was obviously wrong, but I chose to be the fool. I knew what would happen if we kept arguing, at the accident scene. I found out later that there were people known to me in the matatu. It is good I chose the path of peace.
Let's discuss this matter with the knowledge that all these people are someone's loved one.... But we can also choose to trade accusations for ever. No amount of crackdowns will solve this problem. It will only succeed in hardening the Nduthi people more, and making the drivers more arrogant. A situation that puts everyone at risk.... And also presents a serious security risk.
Many people do not understand the reason the authorities seem to be blind to this issue. I will explain.
Take one random point that they operate from. It's most likely a base from where over a hundred youths operate from. Now those bases are barely a kilometer apart, which means that an operation from one police station would net thousands of young nduthi guys. Now, let's assume that these people are not even harmed or even taken anywhere. Just impound the bikes and send them home. That then opens the door for unimaginable security and social problems. Crime levels will rise. All manner of social issues will arise. The police will not be enough to tame the resultant blow back.
Let's tread with caution.And it will soon get political and uglier. Its about to get to optimun hence bursting point.
Don't throw stones if you live in a glass houseMuthuri Murungi
I have been driving for two decades. I have been riding for a decade. I interact closely with both worlds. I have seen all manner of things on our roads. I am a seasoned road user.
There's a lot of things most of the commentators about this matter would never understand.
There are arrogant, conceited drivers who would knock you down on your lane without flinching. There are also murderous nduthi gangs whose lawlessness knows no boundaries. Each of these groups of people are not ready to listen to the other. For a long time there has been a lot resentful hatred among them. Many times I have found myself being the lone voice that preached tolerance.
There's not one driver who can claim not to have a relative, friend or someone known to them who rides a bike. Same with riders. There's not one of them who doesn't have a relative or friend who drives a car. We are all vulnerable.
I once saved a relative from the jaws of death when he knocked down a rider, and broke both his legs and one of his arms. The only reason why he was not lynched is because I arrived at the scene on a bike. After everyone calmed down, I asked him to take a moment and contemplate the implications of the fact that he could have knocked ME down! That worked magic. He stopped drinking and driving on the spot. It's unfortunate that the family of the victim later refused to cooperate with us, so we were unable to help the accident victim.
The matter of bikes can not be solved without first appreciating why they turned to the animals they are now.
I once hit a Matatu from the back because the driver instantly braked smack in the middle of the road to pick up passengers. That accident almost killed me, and I ended up paying for the rear glass of the matatu. The driver was obviously wrong, but I chose to be the fool. I knew what would happen if we kept arguing, at the accident scene. I found out later that there were people known to me in the matatu. It is good I chose the path of peace.
Let's discuss this matter with the knowledge that all these people are someone's loved one.... But we can also choose to trade accusations for ever. No amount of crackdowns will solve this problem. It will only succeed in hardening the Nduthi people more, and making the drivers more arrogant. A situation that puts everyone at risk.... And also presents a serious security risk.
Many people do not understand the reason the authorities seem to be blind to this issue. I will explain.
Take one random point that they operate from. It's most likely a base from where over a hundred youths operate from. Now those bases are barely a kilometer apart, which means that an operation from one police station would net thousands of young nduthi guys. Now, let's assume that these people are not even harmed or even taken anywhere. Just impound the bikes and send them home. That then opens the door for unimaginable security and social problems. Crime levels will rise. All manner of social issues will arise. The police will not be enough to tame the resultant blow back.
Let's tread with caution.And it will soon get political and uglier. Its about to get to optimun hence bursting point.
Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house post shared from Africa Motorcycle Diaries
